Synthesis of ultra‐fine TaB2 nano powders by liquid phase method

Abstract Ultra‐fine TaB 2 powders were synthesized by a liquid phase method using tantalum ethoxide, boric acid and sucrose as the sources of tantalum, boron, and carbon. The TaB 2 precursor powders is a Ta–B–C–O network system, which were heat‐treated at lower temperature (1500°C) in normal argon atmosphere to obtain the TaB 2 powders. XRD confirms the presence of only hexagonal TaB 2 , while EDS and XPS spectrums confirm the composition and element chemical states of TaB 2 . The TEM images show a platelet shape of the TaB 2 powder and the monocrystal SAED pattern confirms the presence of hexagonal TaB 2 . Particle size distribution curves show that particle size of the TaB 2 powders distributes in the range of 30‐160 nm, whose mean particle size is 106 nm.